After Big Three, big questions about Celtics bench

With the presence of three all-stars, the Boston Celtics figure to have one of the NBA's top starting lineups.

Ranking the Celtics' bench, however, is not such a clear-cut matter.

With the acquisitions of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to join Paul Pierce in the starting five, the Celtics have become a favorite in the Eastern Conference.

There are still questions about the rejuvenated team, and one of them is whether there is enough depth on the bench.

The Celtics had to give up five players to acquire Garnett from the Timberwolves, leaving them shorthanded until executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge rebuilt the bench in the summer.

He signed veterans James Posey, Eddie House and Scot Pollard as free agents, and they will probably join Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine as the main reserves.

Critics suggest that group won't be enough to provide support for Garnett, Ray Allen and Pierce this season, which begins Friday night against the Washington Wizards at the TD Banknorth Garden.

“People are going to have their opinions,” said House, a shooting guard. “That's fine. Time will tell. We go out and play, do what we can do, play how we're supposed to play.

“I don't think we're going to have any problems. That's just motivation, what they say. I don't read papers, so I don't even know what people are saying. I know what we're saying and what we're feeling, and that's all that matters.”

Posey, who will be serving a one-game league suspension Friday due to a reckless driving case, was the prize catch for Ainge to bolster the bench.

The 6-foot-8 forward helped the Miami Heat win the championship in 2006 and provides quality defense and outside shooting.

House, now with his eighth team in eight seasons, is a long-range shooter, though he can be taken advantage at the other end.

Pollard, who missed nearly all of training camp with a sprained ankle, has played more than 50 games only once in the past five seasons.

Tony Allen is coming off major knee surgery after suffering an injury last January, so it will take time to get his athleticism back, and Scalabrine has trouble against big bodies on defense.

The Celtics have 14 players on the roster, one short of the league minimum, so a veteran could be added to help at point guard or in the frontcourt.

“I'm pretty confident in our bench,” said Coach Doc Rivers. “We have a veteran bench in some ways. Tony Allen is becoming a veteran. Pose and Eddie House are veterans. Scal' is a veteran. That's good. We do have guys who have been in games, big games, and understand the situation.”

Rivers will have either Garnett, Ray Allen or Pierce — or a combination of two of them — on the floor with the reserves to help their cause.

The plan is to go with eight players in the rotation on some nights, nine on others and 10 if the need arises. Rookie Glen Davis and Leon Powe could also be used in the frontcourt.

“It'll depend on matchups and just my feel on that given night, whatever's on my tongue,” said Rivers. “It's nice when you can go 10 because it gives a lot of guys rest.

“Last year, it was 15. And if (former assistant coach) Tony Brown could have gotten in better shape, it would have been 16. He played great in our practices.”

Posey will be asked to be the leader off the bench since he has the championship experience and can contribute in a number of different areas.

House can add instant offense with his shooting, and Pollard will be needed for at least 10-12 minutes to spell Perkins. Tony Allen figures to be a key once he gets completely healthy, as he was playing the best basketball of his career before getting hurt.

“I think we have a strong bench,” said Posey. “Our advantage is that we go against the Big 3, the starting five, every day and we compete. We compete hard, we beat them, they beat us.

“We beat them two days in a row, and then they come back and beat us.

There's that competitiveness, and we'll have that coming off the bench. We have guys who can put the ball in the hole. The bottom line is accepting your role and doing the best you can.”

Havlicek visits:

John Havlicek, one of the franchise's top bench players, addressed the Celtics prior to practice Tuesday … The Celtics have exercised the contract option worth $1.6 million for Rajon Rondo for the 2008-09 season. The team did not pick up the $2.7 million option for next season for Tony Allen, meaning he will be a restricted free agent next July … Pollard practiced for a second straight day and is confident about playing in the opener.